Line of Contact – Expert Dialogue and Analysis
A joint initiative of the Baku and Yerevan Press Clubs
About the initiative
‘Line of Contact’ is a joint initiative run by the Baku and Yerevan Press Clubs, with support from International Alert. It has brought together journalists and experts from Azerbaijan and Armenia, holding public discussions and providing real-time insights into the state of play of relations between the two societies as well as opportunities for reconciliation in the region. As part of the initiative, the Press Clubs publish media monitoring reports, articles and weekly online programmes.
As of December 2025, all programming is published on the first joint Armenian-Azerbaijani media platform Press Clubs TV.
The initiative provides analysis of ongoing political developments in the region, focusing on the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a media environment dominated by mutual accusations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, this initiatives aims to promote respectful dialogue, reduce levels of hostility, eradicate hate speech and strengthen the role of society in building peace.
To date the project has seen the broadcasting of over 120 programmes and the publication of over 100 articles in Russian, with several published in local languages as well, which have reached an overall audience of over 3.5 million people.
Publications also include a Media Monitoring Report produced in February 2025 that helps understand Armenian and Azerbaijani media and experts cover the conflict
A joint venture
As the programmes and articles are being prepared, particular attention is paid to the research aspect. The project team does regular media monitoring and organises expert focus groups to identify predominant stereotypes and the topics that are most important to people. This work has formed the basis of reference materials, handbooks and reports.
During the broadcasts participants from Armenia and Azerbaijan discuss topical issues. Within the framework of these discussions, they are able to express their opinions freely. The only rules are that they should be respectful of opposing views and should suggest solutions to the issues. Some of the ideas put forward during the project have received responses from officials.
To help establish dialogue between the communities, the two organisations run training courses for journalists, round tables with experts from both sides of the conflict and public events involving young people, cultural figures and displaced people.
The initiative has had a tangible impact on how the conflict is discussed. In the media and among experts people are now increasingly using mutually acceptable language to talk about the issues, avoiding hate speech and focusing on constructive solutions.
Many young people who had previously had no experience of talking to people on the ‘other side’ are now joining the dialogue. Analysis of social media comments about the broadcasts and articles have also shown that the audience has begun to have more faith in the possibility of peaceful engagement.
Future of the project
Work is being done by both Press Clubs to expand the types of content that will be offered on the joint media platform. In addition, they are collaborating on compiling a Glossary and Guidelines for coverage of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
There are also plans to conduct further research, with public opinion surveys, expert interviews and strategic meetings about the development of the project. The intention is also to attract a wider range of participants in the broadcasts, including female experts, displaced people and people living in different regions on the two sides.
Watch the broadcasts
Watch all programmes on the joint media platform Press Clubs – YouTube and Press Clubs – Website.
The programmes and articles can also be found in the ‘Analysis’ section of this website. An Archive of the broadcasts on the Yerevan Press Club website.
